Political leadership is provided by three Boards of Directors drawn from elected officials appointed by their respective municipal councils. The number of directors appointed from each municipality relates to the population. The formula is one vote for every 20,000 people, up to a maximum of five votes.

There are three local government boards and one corporation board:
• Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
• Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD)
• Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD)
• Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC)

Directors are appointed every year, and the inaugural meeting for the new board is held in December. At that meeting, a chair and vice-chair are elected. After the inaugural meeting, the chair determines the committees and their membership. Committees of the board consider priorities, policies and activities for the organization, and recommendations to the board.

Electoral Area A is slightly different, as there is no local council. Voters elect a director to the board for a three-year term.